New York Rangers take a trip to play against Ottawa Senators – NHL Preview
For National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division leaders, New York Rangers, the start to the present short three-game road trip was not very pleasing.
However, Rangers have an opportunity to make up for the last loss as they take a visit to play against Ottawa Senators on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Senators, who are also capable of giving a tough time to Rangers, are also in top form after convincingly winning their last game.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Rangers
Rangers have 91 points after 65 games.
They have remained on and off of late and lost their last game against New Jersey Devils.
Rangers conceded one goal in the first period, but equalised in the second. However, they surprisingly gave away three goals in the final period to lose the game.
Rangers’ coach, John Tortorella, said after the game:
"We gathered ourselves in the second period ... but then there were just some details, some turnovers that were just ridiculous that cost us the game.”
Rangers’ forward, Brian Boyle, added:
"They hated us tonight. They wanted to kill us, and we need to match that. In stretches we did, but we need to take a look in the mirror -- everyone individually. It's understanding as a group that we disappointed ourselves."
Senators
They are ranked at seventh spot in the Eastern Conference with 78 points after 68 games.
They lost two games at the start of this month, but managed to snap that skid after winning the last game against Tampa Bay Lightning.
Senators scored three goals in the first period to gain a healthy advantage. They added another goal in the second and managed three in the final to startle the Lightning, who could only score three goals in the game.
Milan Michalek scored a hat trick for Senators. Coach, Paul MacLean, said of the player:
"That's great for him."
He added:
“We're really happy for him. To reach that plateau, it's really a credit to him and his hard work."
Predictions
It’s difficult to pick a winner as Senators do have capability to defeat Rangers, but it would not be bad idea either to put odds on Rangers.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might exceed six.
Tags: